Handler 135--Norhern Tool experience

[less]

Just wanted to share my recent experience with Northen Tool online...

After deciding on the Handler 135, I chose to purchase from Northern Tool onine, free cart, free shipping, good price. I placed the order late Thursday--hoping to get a jump on the shipping over the weekend. I check the order status online this Morning(Monday), still pending--one and a half business days later. After calling to see what was going on, they informed me of some kind of stocking mishap, even though the webpage clearly stated the item was in stock when I placed the order. They told me my order had been in limbo as a result of the computer, and stocking discrepency. She made a note for the order to be taken care of. I called back later, to make sure the order was progressing, and was connected to someone whom was less then helpfull. I inquired as to wheter they might upgrade the shipping, so I could recieve my welder the same week it would've have showed up, if not for their mistake. "can't help you with that, I'm in sales--contact customer service at...", me: "can you connect me?", "no, call..." So, I call customer service and explain the situation. After a long silence, and one eternal hold... I get a "there's nothing we can do..." I don't think a one tier shipping upgrade was much to ask for, under the circumstances.

So, if I'm lucky, my order will ship on the third business day, five days later than reasonable.

I found 2 of the 3 people I spoke with at Northerntool to be unpleasent and helpless. Beware.

You get what you pay for... and you get it late if you're lucky...

That said, I can't wait to get my welder.

Less

[bomberz1qr20]

Good

Fast

Cheap


Pick two.

[Rusty]

Just a note about the shipping with Northern Tool concerning Hobart products.

I bought the Hobart IronMan 210 from them last month. Several days after ordering, it said still pending. Here is the problem. I don't know if they told you or not, but your item is being shipped directly from the manufacturer (Hobart) is Wisconsin (will not even update info on Northern website after shipped). I called Hobart about mine, and was told that most of the welders were on a 2 week delay before the order ships, after they receive the order (from Northern Tool or whoever). They asked me for a P.O. number, which I didn't have. I called Northern back and asked for the P.O. number so I could get information from Hobart about my order. You think that I was asking for government secrets. They refused to give it to me, saying this is an internal thing. So, I called back to Hobart. The rep at Hobart called Northern, got the information and took care of it from there.

I like ordering from Northern Tool because of the 6 month payment plan (internet only) and the Free Shipping they have once in a while. The disadvantage is that the sales reps and customer service reps are so mis-informed, it is ridiculous. And when you question them, it offends them. It is like you are questioning their intelligence when you ask them something.

Call Hobart at 1-800-332-3281 and ask for the sales department. I believe her name was Terry (not 100% sure).

Rusty

[mrimpact]

then buy it from the welding supply store.tada

[KIPPER]

Would your local welding supply store match the deal you got from northern? If it is one thing I have learned from this board is give your local guy a chance for your business you might be surprised at what you get.

[mrimpact]

some internet dealers can be even cheaper.i don't know but it's good to check

[Sundown]

Took an ebay page to my local dealer and asked if he would match it. He did within $10, I did have to pay the state tax. But if anything go's wrong with it, I know just where to take it Oh yeah, I took it home that day.....

[weld_slag]

less,
Sorry to hear about your experiene with Northern.
As an authorized distributor for many lines of welding equipment we are NOT always going to be the cheapest price around. What we are is 2nd to NONE in service. I always tell customers that you are not buying a welding machine from me. You are buying the weld that you are going to put down with that machine. We will provide at no charge a loaner machine if your machine goes down while under warranty period. After that date we will charge you 1 days rent for the duration of the repair. Try to get that service at a mail order catalog store.
Bottom line we may be a little more expensive (maybe 5 or 10%), but when you need us we will perform for you to get you back welding.
Okay I will get off the speaking stool now.

[Sundown]

Originally posted by weld_slag
less,
Sorry to hear about your experiene with Northern.
As an authorized distributor for many lines of welding equipment we are NOT always going to be the cheapest price around. What we are is 2nd to NONE in service. I always tell customers that you are not buying a welding machine from me. You are buying the weld that you are going to put down with that machine. We will provide at no charge a loaner machine if your machine goes down while under warranty period. After that date we will charge you 1 days rent for the duration of the repair. Try to get that service at a mail order catalog store.
Bottom line we may be a little more expensive (maybe 5 or 10%), but when you need us we will perform for you to get you back welding.
Okay I will get off the speaking stool now.

What he said! In fact this morning I called about warrenty work for a digital camera I purchased thru the internet a year and a half ago. After waiting 30 minutes on hold (the repersentives are ALL busy, you are next in line) I got switched to a voice mail box. I hung up and called the sales line and of course they answered. The saleman informed me the the one person in the warrenty department would not be in for a few hours yet, but gave me her ext #. Bottom line is I can drive over to Airgas and put my welder on the counter and Manual will take care of it and me

[Crithpy_Critter]

cyberweld seems to have most of their sh!t together. at least they sell just welding stuff and not a jillion items like northern tool.

northern tools is just a marketing store. most of the big stuff is drop shipped.

[bomberz1qr20]

Something I see all the time working at a bike shop:

You get what you pay for.


We do alot of high-end road bikes. However, a good deal of our service and repair business comes from bikes that were purchased online. These are assembled complete and shipped to customers. They can usually save a bunch of money, and get a custom spec on components, frame etc.

That's where the savings stop.

When something goes wrong, where do you go to get an online purchase fixed?

The shop you should have bought it from in the first place.

And if you would have bought it there, the first year of standard service would have been free. While you wait, on the spot.

We get our customers who bought bikes from us out the door in 15 minutes for minor adjustments. Free.

What about that online bike? Well, we're happy to adjust it properly, and maybe try to undo some of the horrible mechanical work that was done during it's initial assembly. (most online bikes are assembled in a warehouse by some underpaid kid who will never see the bike again) We're happy to charge for the work too.

When you buy from a dealer, you're buying from someone who knows that they will probably see you again in the future, so there is some obligation to make you happy.

Not to mention the aditional things like advise, loaners, choice, demos, service, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I have bought stuff over the net before. Battery chargers, books, a few pieces of old-school bike parts on ebay, etc. Stuff that doesn't really require any backup service or support.

So far all my welding goods have come from one local shop, and that's the way I intend to keep it, because I want them to stay in business.

[Wyoming]

Glad to hear that there are still those out there that are at least willing to ask their local dealer for a deal instead of turning the computer on and assuming they'll get the best deal that way. I use the Internet for a lot of merchandise, but for a big ticket item like a welder or plasma cutter I prefer to go hands on and deal face to face with my local dealer. More often than not he will match the best deals I find on the net plus sales tax. I figure sales tax is more than worth it to keep him in business a mile from my shop. While many may not have as good a dealer near them I'm just as sure that many do. Out here on the edge of civilization in Wyoming if a local dealer can meet or beat the Internet pricing than most any self-respecting dealer elsewhere ought to be able to come through for you.

[big tuck]

bought my mm210 from a local store ceekay in saint louis sold it to me for the same price as cyber weld and now i get good local support who knows. not a sales person who doesnt even know what a welder is buy from a supplier

[banzaitoyota]

Someone should talk to the Welding Suppliers in AUGUSTA GA. They tell you they have the parts in stock and they dont! And they wonder why I shop the internet

[Wyoming]

Banzaitoyota, Don't blame you for buying off of the Internet if your local shops are failing to keep you supplied. This last bit of civilization I live in has two shops: one is great the other I won't darken the door of anymore. Lucky to have one that beats the norm.